Suitcase of Courage

   It is always exciting to watch newbie racers compete in their first events or at a new distance for the first time. The nervousness, trepidation and sometimes sheer terror at tackling a new skill on a public stage can either overwhelm them or they can rise to the occasion; as they say ?Pain is temporary...race results on the internet are forever!?
   In Peterborough this past weekend Greg Callaghan completed his first Half Iron distance duathlon (2/90/21) in 5:43:00, Kelly McKinney raced the Half Iron distance triathlon (2/90/21) in 6:43:49 and Karen Godfree (1:39:52), Stephanie Doomernik (1:51:48) and Danielle Hawes (1:42:21) completed the Sprint triathlon (750/20/5). Joining our newbies were Darwin Ziprick (6:27:17) and Duane Bryson (5:46:08) in the Half Iron distance tri, Russ Doxtator (1:12:54) in the Sprint duathlon (2/20/5) and Mike Kotuk (1:15:57), Michele Lalonde (1:34:31), David Rehberg (1:34:51) and Chris Livingstone (1:10:24) completing the Sprint. Adam Doxtator who is far from being a newbie to triathlon, having attained the age of 16 raced the sprint distance for the first time placing 7th out of 438 overall with a time of 1:06:13, 2nd in his age group. All of these athletes at some point in time and maybe even in this race have had to face their fears or personal deficiencies to move towards and complete their goals.
   What does it take to fight the fears of your mind or your body and continue on when everything is telling you to stop? The Tour de France is a third of the way into its 21 day run with some horrifyingly spectacular crashes. With bodies flying over bikes, cliffs, into barbed wire and into each other it?s been amazing to watch the steadfast resolution as riders get up and attempt or are successful in completing the stage. It?s not often we have to have 33 stitches then hop back on a bike again but we have all had moments we question our abilities or dedication.
   I remember a tri years ago that had a deep water start. Swimming out into the 60 degree water, in a wetsuit with a bathing cap and goggles I promptly began to experience claustrophobia. Swimming back towards the beach after deciding this wasn?t for me it took a direction by an elder stateswoman of the sport to shock me back to reality helping me to realize that in order for me to move forward in my sport I had to put aside my fears and direct my mind to push my body to places it might not want to go on its own. This simple act provided me with the confidence required to complete a bigger goal later that summer. How uncomfortable can you make yourself?

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   At the Kincardine Women?s Only Sprint Stacey Berdan raced to the line 46:52 while at the Meaford Harbour 5k Run, Walk or Stroll barb and Terry Ellis finished in 56:55. Ashley Armstrong was third in her age group in 1:18:28 at the Graham Beasley Sprint (500/21.6/5) and Brad Johnson was 1:09:15.